Local Sports

TORRINGTON — Don't let the fact that Mike Odenwaelder didn't start in the Torrington Titans' season opener at Fuessenich Park on Wednesday night fool you into thinking he's just a local kid filling out the team's roster.

Titans coach Misha Dworken, the same guy who left Odenwaelder on the bench for the Futures Collegiate Baseball League game against the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs, said that the former Wamogo star could be starting in right field in the major leagues some day.

"I never, ever, ever recommend somebody and say they can play right field in the big leagues," Dworken said. "You have to be such a freak. You are talking about the Vladimir Guerreros, the Andre Dawsons, the Josh Hamiltons — 6-foot-5 guys who hit the ball 500 feet. At the minimum, you have to project to hit 30, 40 home runs, run fast and have a cannon, and Mike qualifies. He's a unique talent."

Odenwaelder, a three-sport athlete for Wamogo, said that as a Little Leaguer he dreamed of playing in the majors. But as he got older, he just embraced his passion for all sports. By high school, he became more enamored with basketball and went on to play a postgraduate year at Canterbury School. He hoped to prepare himself for an opportunity to play baseball and basketball in college.

He was all set to do that at UConn-Avery Point when an opportunity to play baseball at Division III Amherst College presented itself last summer (as did the opportunity to join the Titans late in the season).

After a spectacular freshman season for a 27-13 Amherst team that made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Regionals this spring, Odenwaelder's chances to make his major league dream come true are more realistic than ever before.

He started 37 games and hit .331 (43-for-130) while leading the team in doubles (eight), triples (five), home runs (three), total bases (70), RBI (25), runs scored (35) and slugging percentage (.538). He also stole 10 bases in 11 attempts. His slugging percentage and triples led the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

He was named both first team all-conference and the NESCAC Rookie of the Year.

"He has such a high ceiling," said Amherst coach Brian Hamm, formerly of Terryville. "He is athletic with great size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds). If we can continue

See TITANS, Page 10B

to develop his athleticism through plyometrics and agility workouts and give him more strength that translates into power at the plate, explosiveness on the bases and a stronger arm, he is a player who should be able to play professionally."

Hamm said that as a three-sport star Odenwaelder developed great eye-hand coordination that serves as a great foundation. By concentrating on one sport now, he can refine his entire skill set.

"He's shown a good ability to make adjustments in terms of letting the ball come to him and getting set by keeping his hands back, because his hands or so quick and so strong. Combine that with his size and the explosiveness of his lower half and it makes him a really good hitter."

Odenwaelder is excited about the opportunity to continue developing as a player in a quality summer league like the FCBL again.

"This game is faster than what I am used to seeing in college," Odenwaelder said. "It's about getting more comfortable with the speed, better fielding, better pitching and trying to polish off skills. Last year knowing I was hitting off D-I guys in the summer and then going and playing D-III ball for Amherst definitely helped me and gave me confidence."

Dworken said he didn't start Odenwaelder Wednesday night, because he wanted to see a few new guys play. He already knows Odenwaelder's potential.

"By far, he has the most tools on the team," Dworken said. "The most pro-ready tools: best arm, best runner, most power, best body. I think he is eligible to sign after this year so hopefully this summer will put him on the map, and he will be in pro ball by this time next year."

Odenwaelder will start against all left-handed pitchers and get other opportunities to play so he's very content with the position he's in with the Titans. He said he thinks about playing professionally, but he's not trying to get ahead of himself.

"That would be awesome, and that is ultimately what I am working for," Odenwaelder said. "Now I am just trying to take it a step at a time and get better now, get better tomorrow and then get better the next day. I am back to baseball seriously and loving every second of it. Wherever it takes me, it takes me."

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